The 24-year-old striker continued his blistering start to the new season on Thursday with a hat-trick for Belgium in a World Cup qualifier against minnows Gibraltar.

But Lukaku, with three Premier League goals already to his name after as many matches this campaign, will see the Swedish superstar back in the Old Trafford fold later this season after his serious knee injury.

Ibrahimovic was the main man for the Red Devils last season, scoring 28 goals as they won three trophies and returned to the Champions League, but Lukaku said: “I don’t fear the competition as a striker — or Zlatan.

Lukaku has started the season in electric form for his country and new club... (Image: PA Wire)

...and he insists the upcoming battle with Ibrahimovic for a starting role is a good thing (Image: The FA/Getty)

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"He will bring many qualities to the team, and help us in our goal of winning the title.”

Lukaku phoned ­Ibrahimovic over the summer to ask if he could wear the No.9 shirt at United – with the 35-year-old now set to wear the No.10 jersey after Wayne Rooney’s departure.

“I said to Zlatan that I hoped he would be back at Man United. We need his personality. And I knew for a while he would sign a new contract," he said. “We know there are big rivals for the title – City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham. But things are going ­really well for me at United.

“The pre-season was good and it helped knowing a lot of the players before ­arriving.”

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Lukaku also ­admitted he has wanted to play for United manager Jose Mourinho for most of his life.

Some had wrongly assumed the Special One’s decision to sell him when they were together at Chelsea had affected their relationship before his move to Old Trafford, but Lukaku said: “The manager has helped me a lot to ­settle quickly, so it has all been very positive.

“For me it is all about progressing and learning in my career, and all the coaches I have had have helped me with that.

“I am now with a coach that I have wanted to play for for a long time — since I was 11 years of age. And with him we are looking to do something special.”

The Belgian made only two Premier League sub appearances for Mourinho's Chelsea (Image: Getty)

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And United’s £75million acquisition also insisted that this summer's explosion in spending was “positive” for the game.

Lukaku’s own price-tag has been dwarfed by the £200m spent on ­Barcelona star Neymar by Paris Saint-Germain.

He added: “I thought for a long time that these sorts of transfer fees would happen. There are more and more people watching the game, and I am not ­surprised by the huge sums being spent by PSG and Barcelona.

“I think it is a positive thing, it shows football is more popular — and it gives people a boost.”